Training camp is just now getting started (some teams have had their players in already). I'm really looking forward to the season! I LOVE football! Hopefully "my" Bears play better than people expect.

Matt I just read that Bridgewater's injury last year was so bad he could have lost a leg.... I seriously do not see how anyone comes back from such a horrific injury.

Yeah, I knew that days after his injury. I don't know how he comes back from it either. He's a great kid with a positive attitude and a fantastic work ethic. I just want him to recover fully and then decide what to do with his career. Football is secondary in that equation for me.

Because back injuries are tricky. Flacco could actually be out longer. I wouldn't be surprised if he actually missed the first game or two of the season. (On the other hand, won't be surprised if he doesn't, either.)

And if he's unable to even participate in training, would you really want to have a star QB go in to the first game of the season with only one week of practice and a lot of rust?

The problem with Kaepernick is that any team even willing to consider signing him has to realize that they're going to be dealing with his drama, and he'll be bringing a lot of (mostly negative) media attention with him. That's probably why he's still a free agent. And until he decides to shut up and just play, that's exactly what he deserves to be.

I've heard suspicions of a bit of collusion on the Kaepernick freeze-out. Sure, the circus surrounding him is a real distraction but he can still competently play the most premium position in the game and there aren't that many players like that out there. There are teams who could really use help at the QB position yet interest in him seems to be nil other than Baltimore.

On the other hand, I can see why people are reticent. The fans seem dead against him for one. And even though it's only a several minute gesture, it's not exactly a team building activity flouting our National Anthem game after game. Protest is fine but I never felt this was the appropriate forum whatever his intent. If he were smart, he would announce that he's ready to get back to pure football because he feels he's made his point and acknowledges he no longer wants to be a distraction to his team. He'll be 30 in November which means he still has some potentially huge earning years left but those years will be gone before he knows it.

"If he were smart, he would announce that he's ready to get back to pure football because he feels he's made his point and acknowledges he no longer wants to be a distraction to his team"

Kaepernick announced exactly what you state when he became a free agent. He still has gotten no offers, while many lesser talents have been picked up.

Also, I don't know how much of distraction he was to his team mates. He was given an award, by his team, for inspirational and courageous play last year.

My opinion is that a lot of fans are against him, so teams are not willing to bring him on. They let many players of questionable morals play, but not someone willing to stand up for something he believes in and who did not actually do any physical harm to anyone.

I somehow missed his statement from March 2nd, though reading about it on google now makes it sound like less an acknowledgement of the kneel's divisiveness and more a reluctant "cease and desist" agreement in order to get him a job. Maybe once Trump got in office, Kaepernick figured everything would be fine going forward? Yeah, definitely not, but it is interesting that he still can't seem to get a job.

Bryan, people have pointed out that Kaepernick is a hypocrite, because while he was whining about black oppression, he praised Fidel Castro. And also praised a black female convicted cop killer who escaped prison and fled to Cuba (and is still wanted) in the 1970s. He lost support from other players intending to protest when he was caught wearing socks that were derogatory toward cops (portraying police as pigs) in a photograph, so he may be anti-police, period.

Do I think the Ravens (or any other team) needing a QB (even a back up) should give him a look? Yes. (As long as its not the Cowboys or Titans. Keep him off my favorite team, and out of my state!)

Do I think he's an asshole, and would be be perfectly fine if his career was over? Yes.

He got suspended for 6 games for a domestic violence investigation where the charges were sketchy. The police found conflicting information enough to decline to press charges, witnesses said she made threats to ruin his career, and another witness claimed the victim asked them to lie to the police. Other witnesses said they never saw the assault take place.

If he loses the appeal and the suspension isn't thrown out or reduced to only one game, I hope he sues.

Josh Brown admitted to domestic violence, and got 1 game.

Greg Hardy was charged with domestic violence and was suspended for 4 games.

Matt, if the investigation had actually turned up anything concrete, I'd be all for it. I don't defend players when they actually do wrong, even if they play for my favorite team. But the whole thing is shady, since the victim made public threats and is under investigation as well.

But how do they justify a 6 game suspension when people who have done far worse get far less punishment? It is hypocritical.

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot create polls in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum